Republic Day 2025 Parade Highlights: IAF's spectacular fly-past captivates audience at Kartavya Path

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• As the chief guest at the ceremony, Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, witnessed a grand military parade and cultural performances at Kartavya Path.
• He was accompanied by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, and other dignitaries.
• Subianto, a former defense minister, becomes the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations.
• This marks the first time that an Indonesian marching and band contingent participated in a national-day parade abroad.
• Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron was the Republic Day chief guest, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi graced the occasion in 2023.
• No Republic Day chief guest was invited in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the crowd gathered at Kartavya Path to witness the 76th Republic Day Parade.
• In his quintessential style, PM Modi was seen waving and smiling at the people as everyone tried to capture the moment in their mobile phones.

Republic Day 2025 Parade Live: This year's fly-past features 40 aircraft - Watch

• One of the most eagerly awaited events of the parade, the ‘Fly-past’, witnesses a breathtaking air show by 40 aircraft and helicopters from the IAF, including 22 fighter jets, 11 transport aircraft, and seven helicopters. These include Rafale, Su-30, Jaguar, C-130, C-295, C-17, AWACS, Dornier-228, An-32 aircraft, and Apache & Mi-17 helicopters. They display a variety of formations such as Dhwaj, Ajay, Satluj, Rakshak, Arjan, Netra, Bheem, Amrit, Vajrang, Trishul, and Vijay. The Vertical Charlie maneuver concludes with a Rafale fighter aircraft performing the stunt.
• The ceremony culminates with the national anthem and the release of balloons carrying banners with the official logo commemorating 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution in both English and Hindi.

The Corps of Signals Motorcycle Rider Display Team, famously known as ‘The Dare Devils’, carries out breathtaking stunts during the motorcycle display. The team showcases their bravery and determination through a series of formations, including Bullet Salute, Tank Top, Double Jimmy, Devils Down, Ladder Salute, Shatrujeet, Shraddhanjali, Mercury Peak, Info Warriors, Lotus, and Human Pyramid.

On your screens now, you can see a never-before fat! This year, 5,000 artists in a title of ‘Jayati Jaya Mamaḧ Bharatam’ are performing over 45 dance forms from different part of the country in a 11-minute cultural performance. For the first time, the performance will cover the entire Kartavya Path - from Vijay Chowk to C hexagon - to ensure that all guests get the same viewing experience.

Did you know that Delhi Police has won the 'best marching contingent' award for record 16 times.

Contingents from the Brigade of the Guards, The Jat Regiment, The Garhwal Rifles, The Mahar Regiment, The Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Regiment, and the Corps of Signals, among others, are proudly marching down the Kartavya Path.

The Kartavya Path parade included an impressive array of military equipment, including the T-90 Bhishma Tank, NAG Missile System paired with the BMP-2 Sarath, BrahMos Missile, Pinaka Multi-Launcher Rocket System, Agnibaan Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, Akash Weapon System, and the Integrated Battlefield Surveillance System. Other highlights include the All-Terrain Vehicle (Chetak), Light Specialist Vehicle (Bajrang), Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (Airawat), Quick Reaction Force Vehicles (Nandighosh and Tripurantak), and the Short-Span Bridging System.

The Republic Day Parade is led by Parade Commander Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, and a second-generation officer. Assisting him as the Parade Second-in-Command is Major General Sumit Mehta, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi Area.

Mi-17 1V helicopters from 129 Helicopter Unit in the Dhwaj Formation shower flower petals as part of the Republic Day celebrations. Leading this formation, Group Captain Alok Ahlawat oversees the trooping of the National Flag.

"Our Constitution, based on the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity envisioned by our great freedom fighters, is the pride of the Indian Republic. It serves as a protective shield for every Indian, transcending religion, caste, region, and language. Honoring and safeguarding it is the duty of us all. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Samvidhan!," posts Rahul Gandhi on X

Culture, creativity and camaraderie - We will see the grand show of India's military might as the Republic Day parade begins. President Murmu reached the saluting base along with This year's Chief Guest - President  Subianto.

We can see President Murmu along with her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto heading towards saluting base at Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy adorned with Tricolour. Security personnel from the President's Body Guard are part of President Mumu's cavalcade.

As PM Modi moves to Kartavya Path, focus will now shift to the saluting base, where everyone will be waiting for President Murmu and this year's Republic Day Chief Guest.

• PM Modi has reached the National War Memorial.
• Along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, PM Modi will pay tributes to the fallen soldiers.
• Located between India Gate and Vijay Chowk, National War Memorial houses the immortal Amar Jawan Jyoti also.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach the National War Memorial shortly. He will pay his homage to the bravehearts who laid down their lives in the honour of the nation. Chiefs of all three armed forces have reached the venue head of PM 's arrival.

Amid nationwide celebrations, a bomb threat was reported in Jammu during early morning hours. As per PTI, security personnel received a tip of a bomb threat at the main venue of the Republic Day parade. The administration swung into action and a search operation was launched. The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax.

The Republic Day Parade will begin at Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort, passing through Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Subhas Chandra Bose Roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg, and reaching the Red Fort. A related function will be held at the National War Memorial, India Gate. No traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate until the parade concludes. Cross-traffic will also be restricted on Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road. Additionally, C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9:15 AM until the parade passes Tilak Marg.

On 26th January, the President of India unfurls the national flag at Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) during the Republic Day celebrations. The term "unfurling" is significant, as by 1950, India had already gained independence and was no longer under colonial rule. Republic Day marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26th January 1950, officially establishing India as a sovereign, democratic republic. (Read More)

Indonesia is one of India's largest trading partners in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade reaching US$ 29.40 billion in the 2023-24 period. Indian investments in Indonesia total USD 1.56 billion, spanning sectors such as infrastructure, power, textiles, steel, automotive, mining, banking, and consumer goods. As a new member of the BRICS group, Indonesia has expressed its gratitude for India's support in its inclusion within this forum of emerging economies.

President Prabowo, on his first state visit to India, will be the fourth Indonesian President to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations. A 352-member marching and band contingent from Indonesia will also take part in the Republic Day Parade along Kartavya Path in the national capital.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will attend India's 76th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path today, marking a significant moment in the enduring friendship between the two nations. This year’s event holds special historical significance, as India’s first Republic Day celebrations in 1950 were also honored by the presence of then Indonesian President Sukarno.

As the countdown begins for the mega show in New Delhi, we are seeing celebrations across states. From Tamil Nadu to Assam, dignitaries are unfurling National Falg to mark the occasion. In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unfurled the Tricolour. In his speech, CM Yogi said, "The Constitution of India is the biggest guide to give the message of justice to every citizen of our India."

Republic Day, celebrated annually on 26th January, commemorates the day India adopted its Constitution in 1950. It is a day of immense national pride, symbolizing India’s democratic principles and the values of justice, liberty, and equality enshrined in the Constitution. Schools and educational institutions play a crucial role in observing this day by organizing events like parades, cultural programs, and speech or essay competitions. To assist students in preparing impactful speeches for Republic Day 2025, here are 10 relevant and thought-provoking topics. (Read More)

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has also extended wishes for Republic Day. "As we enter the final quarter of our independence century, let us determinedly work to realize #ViksitBharat at 2047, anchored in our unwavering commitment to Nation First," Dhankhar said in the post on X. lauding the 'Swadeshi spirit', Dhankhar added "Let us nurture and blossom our civilisational ethos of social harmony, family values, environmental protection, Swadeshi spirit, and civic duties. Let our youth spearhead this transformative journey optimising prevalent spirit of Hope and Possibility."

Serving the nation with dedication, discipline and duty is the cornerstone of armed forces personnel. In meeting the demands of service, personal financial management often gets overlooked. Frequent transfers and the everyday risks they face create unique challenges. Consequently, many personnel find it difficult to make informed, disciplined financial choices, jeopardising their long-term financial stability, say financial advisors. To overcome these hurdles, putting in place a well-thought-out financial plan is crucial. (Read More)

• "On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartfelt Republic Day greetings to all of you. This year marks 75 years since we adopted the conscience keeper and soul of our Republic - the Constitution of India," said Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in a statement.
• "We bow in reverence to Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, and many others who selflessly contributed to the shaping of our great nation. We honor every member of the Constituent Assembly, whose wisdom and vision crafted a remarkable document that reflects the aspirations of our diverse people," he said.
• "We salute every soldier of our Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, and security personnel who have made immense sacrifices to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of our nation. We are also deeply grateful to our scientists and teachers, whose unparalleled contributions to nation-building have made India a global knowledge and technological powerhouse," he added.

• Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 to mark the Purna Swaraj Declaration made by the Indian National Congress in 1930, calling for complete independence from British rule.
• Preparations for the Republic Day parade begin as early as July of the previous year, with participants practicing for about 600 hours. On parade day, they arrive at the venue by 3 AM.
• Each year, a distinguished foreign leader is invited as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day parade. This year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will grace the occasion.]
• The gun salute during the Republic Day ceremony is synchronized with the National Anthem. The first shot is fired at the start of the anthem, followed by another after 52 seconds. The cannons used, dating back to 1941, are integral to all formal army programs.
• A theme is chosen every year for the Republic Day celebrations. The 2025 theme for tableaux is "Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas" (Golden India – Heritage and Development), highlighting India’s progress in technology, infrastructure, and cultural heritage.
• The grand parade begins at Raisina Hill, near the Rashtrapati Bhavan, proceeds along the Kartavya Path, passes India Gate, and concludes at the historic Red Fort.
• Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, played a pivotal role in drafting the document, which replaced the Government of India Act of 1935.
• The first Republic Day celebration was held at Irwin Stadium (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium) in 1950, featuring over 100 aircraft and 3,000 military personnel.
• On Republic Day, the National Bravery Awards are announced, recognizing children who display extraordinary courage in saving lives or standing up against injustice.
• The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honors, are presented by the President in a grand ceremony to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the nation.

With January Sun shining bright, people are reaching in large numbers to watch the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path. It's bit windy right now but temperature is bound to rise as the day progresses. Due to VVIP movement, there are stringent security measures in place.

• On the eve of the 76th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry Awards for 93 personnel from the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, including 11 posthumous honors. Additionally, 58 Mentioned-in-Despatches were awarded to Armed Forces personnel, with four posthumously.
• As announced by the Ministry of Defence, the honors include:
• 2 Kirti Chakras (1 posthumous)
• 14 Shaurya Chakras (3 posthumous)
• 1 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)
• 66 Sena Medals (7 posthumous)
• 2 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry)
• 8 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry)
• The Indian Army will honor 55 personnel for their exemplary service in various operations:
• Operation Rakshak: 14 recipients (4 posthumous)
• Operation Snow Leopard: 8 recipients
• Operation Hifazat: 6 recipients
• Operation Sahayta: 2 recipients
• Other Operations: 1 recipient each for Operations Rhino, Meghdoot, Gurihajan, Mulkhyama, Reconnaissance, Zokhawthar, and Falcon
• Operation CAS Evacuation: 4 recipients
• The Air Force will recognise:
• Operation Sankalp: 3 recipients
• IS Duty: 1 recipient
• Miscellaneous Operations: 12 recipients
• These awards underscore the nation’s profound gratitude for the courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment of its defenders, who continue to serve with extraordinary valour.

• The Republic Day celebrations will include 31 tableaux from various States, Union Territories, and Central Government Ministries/Departments, highlighting India's rich cultural diversity and achievements.
• Additionally, a 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band from Indonesia will join the Indian Armed Forces contingents in the parade.

Ahead of the Republic Day parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter), to extend wishes for the special day. "Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity," PM Modi said. In the brief post, PM Modi talked about preserving the Constitution. "May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India," he added.

• Special coupons will be issued for attendees with valid e-invitation cards or e-tickets for the Republic Day ceremony.
• Coupons can be collected at metro stations upon presenting a government-issued photo ID.
• These coupons allow exit only at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations, providing direct access to Kartavya Path.
• The coupons are also valid for return journeys from these stations.Station-specific guidelines for enclosures:
• Attendees with enclosures numbered 1 to 9, V1, and V2 should alight at Udyog Bhawan station.
• Attendees with enclosures numbered 10 to 24 and VN should deboard at Central Secretariat station.
• Announcements within trains will assist passengers in reaching their designated stations.

The short answer - Yes! The Delhi metro will operate its services today - Republic Day as well. The services began at 3:00 am today across all lines. Those who have the passes of Republic Day parade will be able to travel in Delhi Metro for free. However, those who wish to avail the free travel facility need to show a valid ID proof to the security personnel at the entry gates. Due to security reasons, those who deboard the Metro at Udyog Bhawan and Secretariat stations will be issued special 'exit passes.'

• Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, will attend India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Sunday. A highlight of the event will be the performance by Indonesia’s Genderang Suling Canka Lokananta, a 190-member military band from the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil). Known for its embodiment of discipline and military tradition, this unique ensemble blends military music with noble values, reflecting the academy’s spirit and honor.
• The name Canka Lokananta carries profound meaning: “Canka” originates from Sanskrit, meaning trumpet, while “Lokananta” signifies heavenly sound. The band, featuring instruments such as snare drums, trombones, trumpets, and flutes, aims to foster discipline, teamwork, and responsibility among cadets. Beyond ceremonial performances, the band showcases the academy’s excellence and symbolizes Indonesia’s unity, military strength, and dedication to national sovereignty.
• The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will also participate in the celebrations with a Marching Contingent comprising 152 personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This contingent demonstrates precision and unity in their marching movements, embodying the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) and reflecting Indonesia’s national pride and strength.
• President Prabowo, who assumed office on October 20, 2024, following his Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra)'s victory in the presidential election, has prioritized key issues such as anti-corruption, renewable energy, and social welfare.

• To mark the special day, Google has gifted a special doodle for India. The creation featuring Pune-based guest artist Rohan Dahotre shows various wildlife animals such as tiger, peacock and crocodile.
• The artwork celebrates India's cultural diversity.
• "The animals portrayed in the parade represent different regions of India," says Google.

• The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honors in India, are presented annually in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize outstanding contributions across various disciplines, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
• The Padma Vibhushan honors exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan recognizes distinguished service of a high order, and the Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. The recipients of these prestigious awards are announced each year on the occasion of Republic Day.

• While you can catch all the live updates of the Republic Day celebrations here with our live blog, the event will be extensively broadcast and streamed online. Viewers can watch the live telecast of the parade on Doordarshan, the official broadcaster, with coverage starting around 9:00 AM, featuring the flag-hoisting ceremony by the President of India.
• For online audiences, the event will be available via livestream on Doordarshan National’s official YouTube channel. Additionally, platforms like Prasar Bharati Live, Disney+ Hotstar, and various private news channels will stream the event on their websites and apps.

On the eve of Republic Day, the government announced the winners of civilian honours for prominent personalities across various sections of society. Approved by President Murmu, this year's list includes 113 Padma Shri awardees, seven Padma Vibhushans and 19 Padma Bhushan winners. In the total 137 winners 23 of theme are women.   Check out the full list of winners here

• Aligned with the “whole of Government approach,” an initiative has been launched to train PM SHRI school band teams with the support of band instructors and teams from Army Regimental Centres. Training has already commenced in 11 States and Union Territories, with plans to expand to the remaining regions soon. Over time, more schools will join the Band System with assistance from Army Regional Centres, creating new opportunities for students. This initiative is a significant step towards providing holistic education and fostering well-rounded development among PM SHRI school students.
• Under the innovation component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is being provided to States and Union Territories to organize State-level Band Competitions.
• As envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—India's first education policy of the 21st century, focused on transformational reforms in education—this program seeks to instill patriotism and national pride while enhancing students’ musical abilities and discipline. By fostering a spirit of unity and patriotism, this initiative contributes to the holistic education of school students across the country.

In a first, bands from three government schools will participate in Republic Day parade this year. As per the communication from the government, these school bands have been selected three states - Sikkim, Karnataka and Jharkhand. The schools that will take part in 2025 Republic Day parade are Jharkhand's PM SHRI KGBV Patamda, Gangtok's Govt Sr Sec School West Point and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Belagavi Cantonment, Karnataka.

The main parade in New Delhi will begin at 10:30 AM on Sunday at Vijay Chowk, proceeding along Kartavya Path, passing India Gate, and concluding at the Red Fort. The event will culminate in a spectacular flypast by 47 aircraft, showcasing India's aerial prowess.

President Droupadi Murmu will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy to take the salute during a grand march past. The parade will feature units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS.

This year, the theme of Republic Day celebrations is 'Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas'. As India celebrates 75 years of being Republic, the celebrations will highlight the rich cultural heritage and the development the country has seen in the last seven decade.

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian President, is the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade this year. Like France, Indonesia will also participate in the Kartavya Path parade with a marching contingent as well as a military band.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Republic Day celebrations. As India celebrates 75th year of Constitution today, focus will be on the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path. The grand show of India's military might and cultural heritage will be held amid tight security. Stay with us as we bring you details of the programme, Chief Guest of the occasion, trivia and much more.